Circuit completion game using a rotary, multiple-contact switch

ABSTRACT

An electronic game device which incorporates a motor-driven multipe contact switch. The switch comprises a pair of contact brushes which wipe over two sets of circularly arranged stationary contacts. The device includes a plurality of game cards stacked one above the other. A number of these game cards have portions of electrical circuits imprinted thereon and also have a square array of holes formed therein for receiving electrically conductive contact pegs. The contact pegs are inserted into a prearranged number of holes in the stacked game cards in order to complete a circuit through a selected one of the game cards. Upon completion of a circuit on one of the game cards by the insertion of the correct number and arrangement of the contact pegs, a motor will momentarily drive the rotatable brush pair over the fixec contacts. The rotating brushes will then randomly come to rest on another pair of fixed contacts that will require a different number and arrangement of contact pegs to again effect completion of a circuit. The switch can further be used on control panels that control automatic machinery.

United States Patent [191 Nelson [11] 3,771,791 1 Nov. 13, 1973 CIRCUITCOMPLETION GAME USING A ROTARY, MULTIPLE-CONTACT SWITCH lnventor:Nicholas R. Nelson, 710 West North Street, Bellingham, Wash. 98225Filed: Apr. 21, 1972 Appl. No.: 246,184

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l0/19l6 Greenwood 273/139 8/1926Cultra 200/24 X 9/1936 Mabey 273/139 10/1939 l-luenergardt 273/141 A10/1943 Goloborodko 273/1 E 2/1957 Ryan 273/141 A X 9/1959 Chalfin273/141 A X Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-HarryG. Strappello 57 ABSTRACT An electronic game device which incorporates amotor-driven multipe contact switch. The switch comprises a pair ofcontact brushes which wipe over two sets of circularly arrangedstationary contacts. The device includes a plurality of game cardsstacked one above the other. A number of these game cards have portionsof electrical circuits imprinted thereon and also have a square array ofholes formed therein for receiving electrically conductive contact pegs.The contact pegs are inserted into a prearranged number of holes in thestacked game cards in order to complete a circuit through a selected oneof the game cards. Upon completion of a circuit on one of the game cardsby the insertion of the correct number and arrangement of the contactpegs, a motor will momentarily drive the rotatable brush pair over thefixec contacts. The rotating brushes will then randomly come to rest onanother pair of fixed contacts that will require a different number andarrangement of contact pegs to again effect completion of a circuit. Theswitch can further be used on control panels that control auto maticmachinery.

1 Claim, 13 Drawing Figures MENU-1077071131975 W i if m/M PATENYEDRHV 13ms 3,771, 791

Illllllll II'HIIIHHU CIRCUIT COMPLETION GAME USING A ROTARY,

. MULTIPLE-CONTACT SWITCH This invention relates generally to relaydevices.

More specifically it relates to an electronic game which incorporates anovel relay device that comprises the present invention.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a centrifugalrelay device which eliminates expensive relay switches, takes up lessspace, is easier to trouble-shoot, less complicated, and has less thingsfor possibly going wrong.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a Complete TheCircuit or Switchboard Checkers game which is electronically operated,and which by incorporating the centrifugal relay device eliminates theneed for conventional electro-magnetic relay switches as used in controlof automatic machinery.

Other objects are to provide a centrifugal relay device which is simplein design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to.use, and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily apparent upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the game.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the game board face card.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the centrifugal relay device.

FIG. 4 is an electric circuit of the game.

FIG. 4a is a circuit to be incorporated with the circuit illustrated inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of game card No. l.

FIG. 5a is a chart showing co-ordinates for the remaining four cards. 7

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram for bonus games. I

FIG. 7 illustrates a cheater circuit placed on a game card No. 4. i

FIG. 8 illustrates a puzzle circuit placed on a game card No. 5. g I

FIG. 9 illustrates the centrifugal relay device controlling automaticmachinery. A

I FIG. 10 is a detail view wherein metal wheels substitute metal brushesso to decrease frictional drag.

FIG. 11 illustrates a throw clutching means.

This electronic game 10 can be variously entitled either as Complete TheCircuit, or Switchboard Checkers.

It includes eleven separate cards or boards 11 which measure 14 by 14inches. On these cards, a 12 inch square playing field is printed andwhich is divided by cross lines 12 into 64 squares or spaces 13 justlike a common checkerboard. An eighth-of-an-inch hole 14 is made at eachintersection of the cross lines, thus making a total of 81 holes on eachone of the II boards or cards.

As shown in FIG. I of the drawings, the cards 11 are stacked together sothat a metal peg 15 can be fitted into any one of the openings andfitted easily through the entire stack of the cards. 7

The game card, or face card is then designed as shown on FIG. 2. It iscolor coded into red, green, black, yellow, and white, as illustrated.The reason for the colors is discussed later on. Around the board areinset square or round dishes, each one bearing the color of the outsidesections of the playing board. These dishes are used to hold the playerspegs.

The cards are electrically wired using the principle of direct current,or in a series much like the old Christmas tree lights that went outwhen one bulb burned out. In the model, thin strips of aluminum are runfrom hole to hole. They are passed through each hole to be used in thatparticular game on both sides of the hole, but not so they touch. Whenthe metal pegs touch each strip of metal, the circuit is completed tothe next holes in the series. Beneath each wired card is a buffer, orblank card to act as an insulator between the game cards, as also shownin FIG. 1.

The wires 16 from the cards are then brought through to a unit 17illustrated in FIG. 3 which is here called a centrifugalrelay device.The two outside wheels 18 are both stationary with contact points 180 atequal positions on the circle. The two inside wheels 19 move in onedirection with a pick-up brush 20 on the outside of 'each wheel makingcontact with the short metal strips on the stationary wheels. A metalcontact strip is attached around the complete circumference of eachmiddle wheel and hooked on to the brushes. Two more brushes 21 makecontact with the front of each metal wheel sending the current to anelectric motor 22 which pulls the middle wheels 19 through the stripscompleted by the metal pegs.

To signify the end of the game and determine the winner, abell 23 willring, or a light will flash.

In order to eliminate the problem of keeping the live holes in the gamea secret to the players, so that the players cannot cheat by simplyremoving each peg until the light stayed on with the minimum number ofpegs, the game includes a means toovercome this problem.

Hence a centrifugal relay device evolved, and in FIG. 4 it is seenhooked into the game. As the motor pulls the inner wheels of the devicethrough the outer stationary wheels the bell rings for the brief span oftime this takes signifying the end of the game. When the contact brushesare free of the live section on the outside wheels, the bell stops asdoes the small motor. In the model, friction stops the inner wheels inthe next game. The pegs are removed and a new game is begun.

The players can-pull out add pegs .to their hearts content, but theywill never learn where all of the live holes cell batteries,for purposeof portable convenience and eliminate any danger of a high voltageshock.

It is further understood that all the figures and colors given in thisdescription are variable. It is also understood that the wiringdiagrams, and co-ordinates given are also variable. In the wiring ofeach card, for instance, it can be seen that thousands of possibilitiesexist.

The invention as made by the inventor in an existing model and aspresented in the present application is not to be considered a finalform of the product, but can be refined in design for maximum efficiencyand appeal, while still conforming to the general over-all game, thegame rules and the relay device pictured in FIGS. 3 and 4, all of whichare originated by the inventor and to which he therefore claimsexclusive rights.

It is speculated that the individual game cards can be easilymanufactured with the use of printed circuits, and with properengineering, and volume purchasing of parts, that the game should not betoo expensive to manufacture. The inventor realizes that his mechanicalabilities do not reach anywhere near his ability to conceive thefinished product.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which shows game card No. l and whichshows how the holes are wired. Thin strips of aluminum, each oneseparate of each other, are connected to the metal pegs. There are 21holes on the card, four in each outer section and five in the middlesection. The other four cards have connecting holes, four in eachsection.

In FIG. 5a, the remaining four cards are given in coordinates. Readingdown each card, are the letters A through I. Across from there arenumber 1 through 9. Thus E-5 is the exact center of the card.

FIG. 6 shows a wiring diagram for bonus games discussed in the gamerules.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are the wiring diagrams for the puzzle which is separatefrom the circuit wheel on the model. The player is asked to take one pegand insert it in hole C-S. He is then asked to take eleven more pegsmaking 12 in all and construct six straight lines on the board, usingC-5 as a start. All six lines must have four pegs in a line. If and whenhe solves this puzzle, a light will come on and stay on. If he elects tocheat by using more than 12 pegs to make the light come on, he willeventually be caught cheating by FIG. 7, and the bell will ring.

FIG. 8 is just a six sided star which completes the puzzle requirements.Six straight lines with four pegs in each line, FIG. 8 has 13 holes tocatch most of the cheaters.

FIG. 7 is wired on game card No. 4, and FIG. 8 is wired on game card No.5.

RULES OF THE GAME The game can be played as a solitary diversion or withtwo, three, or four players pitted against one another, or as partners.

The 81st or extra peg is placed in E-5 and left there. When two playersplay, each player takes forty pegs, and selects two of the coloredsections as his own. Then the players begin taking turns inserting onepeg at a time into any of his own sections, or the white neutral zone inthe middle. There is no limitation placed on how many pegs a player mayplace in the neutral zone, but he must remember that whoever rings thebell signifying the end of the game, is the winner, and the winnercollects all the pegs in the neutral zone.

After the spoils have been collected by the winner, he inserts a peginto the bonus game shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, then the loser followssuituntil the bell again rings with the last peg put in and the winner ofthe bonus game collects those pegs in the bonus section.

Then a new game is started with the winner of the first game going firstand continues until the bell rings again. Then bonus points are triedagain. The game continues in this fashion until finally one playerexhausts his supply of pegs before the next sounding of the bell. He isthen the ultimate loser of the game.

If the winner feels very lucky, he can elect to loan his opponent enoughpegs to continue to the next bell ring. Or he can declare himself thewinner and start fresh. If

he decides to loan the pegs, he should keep track of those loaned outand can foreclose on his loan anytime after a bell has rung.

The rules are the same for four players as they are for two, when fourplayers play, with the exception that each player has only one color and20 pegs instead of 40. Also, when one player runs out of pegs before thebell rings, the other players are obligated to loan him up to one halfthe amount of pegs they have over their original 20. Example: If oneplayer has accumulated 30 pegs, he must loan five of them to hisopponent, keeping track of the loan for his own protection. When oneplayer has forty or more pegs both in his possession and inserted in theboard, and on loan to others, he may bump the firstperson to run out ofpegs out of the game and take over his section. The bumped player keepsthe number of pegs left to him after paying his loans and can still playthe bonus games until he either accumulates l5 pegs or goes broke. If hegoes broke, he is out of the game for good. If he somehow manages to getback his l5 pegs, he can rightfully reclaim his color and get back intothe game.

This game continues until one player acquires pegs and three sections,or until mutual consent when all the pegs are counted up and the playerwith the most wins.

The two or four players may simply play one game at a time (from bellring to bell ring), collecting their own pegs after each ring, anddetermine the winner by comparing the number of times each one has won agame. The playerwith the most wins to his name at the end of the sessionis the winner.

With this method the game itself is in the game in the form of the bonussection. Only two pegs per colored section can be played in the bonusholes, making a total of eight pegs in all. If the bell does not ring bythe eighth peg, then it falls to the winner of the last or precedinggame to keep the game itself from having a win jotteddown in its column.He must insert one more peg in the bonus section. If the bell rings, hecollects another win under his name. If the bell does not ring on theninth peg,then the previous winner loses his original win, and the gamecollects two wins in its column. After each bell ring, everyonere-collects his 20 pegs. Of course, when the bell rings before theeighth peg, the player who caused it collects the win. Once it has beendetermined that the game is won, the players then continue to finish offthe bonus section to determine who is to start the next round. They mustdo this to recycle the wheels into the next game card.

When three players play the game, the rules are essentially the sameexcept each player receives 27 pegs instead of 20, and when one playerruns the total of his pegs to 40 and captures the colored sectionbelonging to the game he wins, but players are warned that the I gamecould end up with the 40 pegs, and you all lose.

With three players, each person places-one of his pegs on the boardafter his own play, and announces that it is the games peg. Then eachplayer puts in one of his own pegs, then it is the games turn, and thelast man to play the third peg in the turn places in another game peg,and so on around the board. The game is always in on the turn, and eachplayer in sequence makes the play for the game. In this way, each playeris responsible for his own moves and also for a third of the gamesplays, so if the game wins, no one player has to take the blame forletting a thing beat them all. The

game cannot loan pegs, but the players can if they wish. When playingalone, the line puzzle is oneform of solitary, and the other is tosimply pit yourself against the game, taking two colors and 40 pegs andgiving the game two colors and 40 pegs. Use the rules for two players,and make the gamesplays for it.

USES OF THE SPECIAL RELAY DEVICE After incorporating the centrifugalrelay device into the game, it occurred that other uses could be foundfor this interesting piece of equipment other than routing electricityalong the tracks of a simple game. If it does this job of switching fromone circuit to another, then it will work on a grander scale, in a moreadvantageous manner. Instead of large panels full of complicatedelectro-magnetic relay switches used in controlling automatic machinery,the present centrifugal relay device provides a space saving, simpleunit that is easier and quicker to service than myriads of conventionalrelay switches.

THE CENTRIFUGAL RELAY DEVICE PER SE FIG. 9 shows an illustration of oneway the device might control automatic machinery. Points A, B, C, and Drepresent conventional micro switches which hold the current in placeuntil the operation it represents has finished. Point E is the off andon switch and plug to the power source. The juice flows from the powersource, through the switch, then through the brushes labeled F, andthrough the circular inner wheels of the device. From there the powerpasses through the brushes, G, to the micro switch which allows theparticular operation to begin as represented by the arrows goingnowhere. Once the desired operation has ceased its immediate function,the micro switch diverts the electricity to the second group of wheels,through the brushes marked B, into the inner wheels, through the brushesI, and to the electrical-magnetic device which pushes the first set ofinner wheels into the next circuit so as to provide juice for theoperation of micro switch B. It must be understood that this lastdescribed operation requires but a fraction of a second to start andfinish, for switch A will return to its original position almostimmediately, but the diversion of electricity should be long enough totrip the device which turns the first wheel to the desired point tooperate switch B. With the power gone from device J, a spring willreturn the moving apparatus in J, and in so doing will turn the secondwheel into the next circuit so that when the operation of B is complete,the juice can be diverted to operation D, and so on around until A isagain reached, and the whole process is begun again or stopped accordingto what is required of the piece of automatic equipment being used.

Properly made, and miniaturized, 50 or a hundred circuits can be put onone set of wheels. Frictionwill be a problem in designing, but a wellbalanced and properly engineered device should have a minimum offriction. Perhaps small metal wheels 24 could be used as brushes asillustrated in FIG. 10, instead of dragging metal brushes.

FIG. 11 represents one way to turn the wheels. The throw of the smalldrive wheels 25 would determine the distance between contact points onthe outer wheels of the device, and the number of circuits then woulddetermine the circumference of the wheels themselves. Obviously, othermethods of motive power can be thought of such as the small motor usedin the model, but the one illustrated appears workable and practical.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it isunderstood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal relay device the game, of a pair of stationaryoutside wheels in spaced apart relation on a common axis, and contactpoints in a circular arrangement on an inner side of each said wheel forengagement by a brush, a pair of spaced apart inside, movable wheelsbeing between said outside wheels, and which carry said brushes, each ofa second pair of brushes engaging an edge of said movable wheels andbeing connected to an electric power source, said outer wheel contactpoints being connected to a plurality of stacked game cards of a gameand said second pair of brushes to said power source being also in acircuit that includes a motor that drives said inner wheels, and asignal bell and lamp, said game cards each including a plurality ofopenings therethrough for receiving contact pegs, said openings of saidcards being aligned and being electrically, selectively wired so thatsaid peg effect said circuit.

1. In a centrifugal relay device the game, of a pair of stationaryoutside wheels in spaced apart relation on a common axis, and contactpoints in a circular arrangement on an inner side of each said wheel forengagement by a brush, a pair of spaced apart inside, movable wheelsbeing between said outside wheels, and which carry said brushes, each ofa second pair of brushes engaging an edge of said movable wheels andbeing connected to an electric power source, said outer wheel contactpoints being connected to a plurality of stacked game cards of a gameand said second pair of brushes to said power source being also in acircuit that includes a motor that drives said inner wheels, and asignal bell and lamp, said game cards eAch including a plurality ofopenings therethrough for receiving contact pegs, said openings of saidcards being aligned and being electrically, selectively wired so thatsaid peg effect said circuit.